Coin slot mechanism



Aug. 4, 1936. v H Q STOCKEL 2,049,527

' COIN SLOT MECHANISM Filed April 18, 1952 2 SheetsSHeet 1 /L T| I n! HI I 18 HI I man J I 0 I I I Z I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I Hans C. Shake/Z a 7% &%%m

Patented Aug. 4, 1936 UETED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 13 Claims.

More particularly the invention relates to a device for receiving tokens of a plurality of predetermined sizes which may be inserted therein and which will not receive tokens of intermediate sizes.

An object of the invention is to provide such a coin slot mechanism of new and improved construction arranged to receive large and small tokens and to reject tokens of an intermediate size.

Another object is to provide such a mechanism embodying separate registering devices for each size of token.

Another object is to provide a new and improved coin slot mechanism arranged to receive and to register coins of different sizes and in which the coins pass into the mechanism in substantially a straight line when inserted.

Another object is to provide such a mechanism in which coins of a selected size may be inserted and registered and which embodies means for ejecting coins of another size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin slot mechanism in which coins ,may be inserted in an open-ended slot and embodying means permitting the passage of. small and large coins and to prevent the insertion of coins of an intermediate size, the passage of a coin being accomplished when the person inserting the coin continues to press on the coin after it has been inserted in the slot so as to move the coin farther into the slot and at the same time move an adjacent member with the coin.

In its preferred form the invention is adapted for the reception and registration of nickels and. dimes, the coins being inserted by a single movement in substantially a straight line, and embodies means effective to prevent the insertion of pennies Further objects and advantages of the invention will be understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an inclined plan view of. a preferred form of the invention, along the arrow l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a section approximately along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section along the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section approximately along the line 44 of Fig. 1, showing the parts in their normal positions prior to the insertion of a coin.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the parts in another position during the insertion of a large coin or nickel.

Fig. 6 is a section approximately along the line 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing the parts of the slot mechanism and the registering means for the smaller 5 coins or dimes prior to the insertion of such. a

com.

Fig. 7 is a similar view of. the parts during the insertion of the smaller coin.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5, but with the slot mechanism parts in their locked position during the insertion of an intermediate sized coin.

Fig. 9 is a section approximately along the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a section approximately along the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 9 showing the ejecting means in the out-of-theway position it assumes upon insertion of a coin of proper size.

While my invention is susceptible ofemboniment in many different forms, I have shown in the drawings and shall herein describe in detail one such embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the form chosen for purposes of disclosure the invention embodies a pair of registering I mechanisms, one for small and one for large coins,

together with a movably mounted coin chute norr mally held in a raised position, means normally holding the chute in its raised position operable when a large coin is inserted to release the chute for downward movement, means operable during downward movement after a large coin has been inserted to actuate the large coin register and pass the coin through the chute without operating the small coin register, said holding means also being released by a small coin when inserted. in the chute to release the chute, means operable by movement of the chute when a small coin has been inserted to operate the small coin register without operating the large coin register, said holding means being effective when an incorrectly sized coin is inserted in the chute to prevent downward movement of the chute, and means for ejecting such coins from the chute.

As illustrated in the drawings, the invention comprises generally a somewhat rectangular casing l2 having an inclined cover l3, this casing being mounted on a supporting member or frame |3 containing a cash box I2 The cover I3 is provided with an aperture l4 (Figs. 4 and 10) in which a split mounting member |5 is positioned and also has apertures l1 and I8 through which the number dials l9 and 20 of registering mechanisms 2| and 22 are visible. The registering mechanisms, as hereinafter more fully described, are arranged to count the number of small and large coins respectively which are inserted through the coin slot mechanism. The split mounting member I5 is secured to the cover l3 by a circular plate 25 mounted against the cover. This plate is provided with a recess 26 in its upper surface and a slot 2? extending downwardly from the bottom of the recess. In the slot 21 there is mounted a. reciprocatory member 28 having a coin slot 29 therein. This member 28 is normally urged to its upper or extended position by means of coiled springs 30 secured intermediate arms 3| on the member and anchoring devices 32 on the casing, and is arranged normally to be held in its upper or extended position wherein it projects into the recess 26. A latch device 33, illustrated most clearly in Fig. 6, is pivotally mounted at 34 on the member 23 and has a laterally projecting portion 35 arranged to engage in a notch 36 in the mounting member l5 so as to hold the member 28 in its extended position. A spring 31 is arranged to hold said device in its latched position as shown in Fig. 6. Thus the right-hand end of the coin slot 29 (Fig. 6) is formed by the lever 33. Preferably a guard 31 is provided on the member 28 to overlie the upper end of the latch device 33 so as to prevent operation of the latch device by means other than tokens.

The other end of the coin slot 29 is herein disclosed as being formed by an arm 40 pivotally mounted at its upper end on a pin 4| in the reciprocatory member 28. At its lower end this arm carries a transversely extending pin 42 (Figs. 3 to 8. and 10) which projects through an arcuate slot 43 in the member 28 and arcuate slots 44 in the mounting member l5. This arm is normally held in the position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6 by a coiled spring 38 which is anchored at one end by a pin 39 to an intermediate portion of the arm 40 and at its other end to the mounting member 5. The member 28 is provided with an arcuate slot 39 through which the pin 39 extends, the mounting member |5 being recessed at 45 to provide clearance for the pin 39 during the reciprocatory movement of the member 28.

In the preferred form of the invention the lever 40 is arranged to control the registering of the coins of proper size and to prevent the insertion of coins of incorrect size. As illustrated in the drawings, additional slots 46 and 41 are provided in the mounting member, which slots connect at their upper ends with the arcuate slot 44 at laterally spaced points so as to provide a locking abutment 48 therebetween. Thus if a large sized coin 58 (Fig. 4) is inserted in the slot 23 the coin will engage the lever 40 and swing it about its pivot 4| until the pin 42 has moved in the slots 43 and 44 to a position wherein it coincides with the adjacent end of the slot 41. During this movement the coin 50 has also engaged the upper end of the latch 33 so as to release the latch. The parts are preferably so arranged that when the upper edge of the coin becomes flush with the upper edge of the member 28 the latch 33 is released and the pin 42 is in a position above the open end of the slot 41. Thereupon by continuing the inserting pressure on the coin and depressing the member 28 with the coin, the pin 42 enters the slot 41 as illustrated in Fig. 5, and as the pin reaches the bottom of the slot the lever 40 has been swung to such an extent as to pass the coin 56 through the member 28 and into the cash box.

Means is provided to actuate the large coin register 2| during the passing of a large coin into the cash box. As illustrated herein a register 2| is provided with an operating arm 55 having a pin and slot connection 56 with a lever 51 pivotally mounted on the mounting member l5 at 53. The lever 5'! is normally held in the position illustrated in Fig. 5 by means of a suitable coiled spring 59 and is provided with a portion of the abutment 66 arranged to be engaged by the pin 42 when the pin moves in the slot 47 so that as the pin moves from the position illustrated in Fig. 5 to the left-hand end of the slot the lever 51 is pivoted and the register 2| actuated.

In Figs. 6 and 7 the relation of the various parts is illustrated during the passage of a small coin 65 through the slot 29. The slot 46 in the depending portion i6 of the mounting member is so positioned that when a small coin has been inserted in the slot 29 it swings the arm 49 to a position wherein the pin 42 coincides with the open end of the slot 46 at the same time the latch 33 is released. After the small coin '35 has been inserted until its upper edge flush with the upper edge of the member 28, the member 28 may be depressed, the pin 42 then passing into the slots 46 as illustrated in Fig. 7. As the arm 40 is swung away from the latch 33 the coin 65 passes through the member 29 and into the cash box. It is to be noted from Fig. 4 that the portion 69 of the actuating lever 51 for the large coin register does not extend across the slot 46 and therefore is not actuated by the pin 42 when a small coin is inserted.

The means for actuating the small coin register during the insertion of a small coin 65 is herein illustrated as comprising (Figs. 6 and 7) a segmental lever 66 pivotally mounted on the mounting member at 61 and having a. pin and slot connection 68 with an actuating arm 69 on the small coin register 22. The lever 66 is provided with a projecting portion or abutment 70 which extends across the slot 46 and is engageable by the pin 42 (Fig. 7) when said pin moves into the slot 46. During the downward movement of the member 28 the lever 66 is therefore actuated and in turn operates the register 22. The lever 66 is normally held in the position illustrated in Fig. 6 by means of a coiled spring H and is provided with a cut-away portion at 12 which coincides with the slot 4'! so that, when a large coin is inserted and the pin 42 moves into the. slot 41, said pin does not engage the lever 66.

It is believed readily apparent that if coins of sizes differing from those illustrated as 50 and 65 are inserted in the slot 29, the pin 42 will not be moved into register with the slots 46 or 41 and that therefore the member 28 cannot be depressed. For example, with the pin 42 in the position shown in Fig. 4 any efiort to depress the member 28 would be prevented by engagement of the pin 42 with the lower portion of the slots 44 in the portion |5 of the mounting mem ber. This is true whether the pin 42 engages with the slots 44 to the right of the slot 46, between the slots 46 and 41 at 48, or beyond and to the left of the slot 47 (Fig. 4). Thus intermediate sized coins are prevented from passing the surface of the member 28. This arrangement through the coin slot by the land or abutment 48 and smaller or larger coins are also kept out of the cash box.

Means is preferably provided ior ejecting coins or incorrect size when an attempt is made to insert them. This means is herein illustrated as comprising an ejecting member 15 which is illustrated most clearly in Fig. 9, this member being pivotally mounted at Hi on the mounting member 15 and in a transversely extending slot H in said member. The ejecting device is illustrated in the form of a short arm normally extending across the coin slot 29, being held in said position by means of a coiled spring 18 connected at one end to the member 15 and anchored at its other end on the mounting member portion I5. Thus if an intermediate sized coin is inserted with the result that it is impossible to depress the reciprocatory member 28, upon releasing the coin it is ejected by the member I5. However, if a proper sized coin is inserted the member 15 is pivoted in a clockwise direction (Fig. 9) and as the member 28 is depressed the ejecting member is pivoted to an out-ot-the-way position so as to permit the coin to pass through the slot 28 as illustrated in Fig. 11.

If desired gongs 80 and H may be provided, the gong 80 being arranged to be struck by a member 82 when the large coin register 2| is actuated and the gong 8| being arranged to be struck by a member 83 when the small coin register 22 is actuated.

The operation of the invention is extremely simple in that when a person inserts a coin and presses it into the coin slot, it is merely necessary to continue the pressure against the coin and the adjacent member 28 to force the coin through the slot and to register it. Enabling coins to be inserted by movement in a single or straight line direction is of particular advantage, particularly when embodied in a mechanism arranged to register coins oi several sizes, and to eject coins of incorrect sizes.

In the preferred form of the invention the member 28 is normally held in its extended position not only by the springs 30, but by the arm 40 and pin 42, and also by the latch device 33. It is readily apparent that the member can only be depressed when the pin 42 has been moved into alineme'nt either with the slot 48 or the slot 41. The latch device 33, together with its guard 31', is provided so as to prevent persons from actuating the arm 40 by means of an improper instrument. The guard 31 extends into the coin slot slightly beyond the edge of the latch device so that the latch device is not actuated until the upper edge of the coin is flush with would make it difficult for a person to operate the arm 40 by means of an improper instrument,

since in order to depress the member 28 it would be necessary at the same time to actuate the latch device. I

The slots 46 and 41 are formed so that if the pin 42 has entered one of said slots and the member 28 is depressed, the pin 42 is moved somewhat transversely of the direction of movement of the member 28, thus swinging the arm 40 in a clockwise direction and permitting the coin to pass between the latch device 33 and the arm 40 and into the cash box.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the character described having, in combination, small and large coin registers, a movably mounted member having a coin slot therein, means normally holding said member in an extended position, movably mounted means on said member movable by small and large coins inserted in said slot to first and second positions corresponding to the sizes of the coins, means operable by movement said member when a small coin has beeninserted in said slot to actaste said small coin register without actuating the large coin register. means operable by movement of said member when a large coin has been inserted in said slot to operate said large coin register without operating the small coin register, means for preventing operation of, either oi. the registers by coins of other sizes, and means for electing coins of such other sizes.

2. A coin slot mechanism for receiving large and small coins of predetermined size comprising, in combination, a casing, a large coin register, a small coin register, a movably mounted coin chute having one end proiecting from the casing for receiving coins and the other end projecting into the casing for depositing coins therein, means normally holding said chute in its extended position, means operable by a coin inserted in said chute to release the chute, means operable by movement of said chute when a large coin is inserted therein to permit the coin to pass through the chute and to actuate the large coin register, means operable by movement of said chute when a small coin is inserted therein to permit said coin to pass through the chute and to actuate said small coin, register, means effective when a coin of incorrect size is inserted in the chute to prevent movement oi the chute and thereby prevent passage 01. said coin therethrough, and means operable to eject said coin of incorrect size.

3, A coin slot mechanism comprising, in combination, a support having a passage therethrough, a member mounted in said passage for Icciprocatory movement and having a coin slot associated therewith, a latch device normally holding said member at one end of its travel and having a portion projecting into said coin slot, an arm pivotally mounted on said member having a portion, projecting into said coin slot, 2, laterally extending Din carried on the free end of said arm, said support andsaid memberhavingparallel arcuate slots coinciding when the member is in said one position and in which said pin is adapted to move when the arm is swung by coins inserted in theslot, a third slot in said support connected at one end with the arcuate slot in the support and positioned so that when a coin of proper size is inserted in the coin slot said pin will be moved in said arcuate slots to the entrance of said third slot, said third slot being so shaped that during movement of said member and coin from the latched position said arm will be swung to permit the coin to pass through the coin slot.

4. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, a casing, small and large coin registers, a movably mounted member having a coin slot associated therewith, means normally holding said member in an extended position, movably mounted means on said member movable by small and large coins inserted in said slot to first and second positions corresponding to the sizes of the coins, means operable by movement of said member whena small coin has been inserted in said slot to actuate said small coin register without actuating the large coin register, means operable by movement of said member when a large coin has been inserted in said slot to operate said large coin register without operating the small coin registenand means for preventing operation of either of the registers by coins of another size.

5. A device of the character described comprising, a support, a member reciprocably mounted on said support and having a'coin slot therethrough, means for holding said member in an extended position on the support, .a part pivotally secured to said reciprocatory member, means normally urging said part into the coin slot, means for releasing said holding means to permit said member to be depressed when coins of a preselected size are inserted, and means operating upon presentation of a coin of preselected size for withdrawing said part from said slot when said member is depressed so as to permit the coin to pass through the slot.

6. A coin slot mechanism comprising, in combination, a casing, a small coin register, a large coin register, a movably mounted coin chute, means operable by movement of said chute when a large coin is inserted to actuate the large coin register, means operable by movement of said chute when a small coin is inserted to actuate said small coin register, and means efiective when a coin of incorrect size is inserted to prevent movement of the chute and to eject said coin.

'7. A coin slot mechanism comprising, in co'm bination, a movably mounted coin chute depressible in the direction of coin movement when a proper coin is inserted therein, a plurality of means for registering separately different sized coins of predetermined sizes inserted in said chute, means for preventing movement of the chute except when coins of said predetermined sizes are inserted and means operable by movement of said chute selectively to actuate the registering means corresponding to the coin inserted in the chute.

8. A coin slot mechanism comprising, in combination, a coin chute depressible in the direction of coin movement, a plurality of means for registering separately large and small sized coins inserted in said chute, means operable during movement of said chute selectively to actuate the registering means corresponding with the size of coin inserted in the chute and means for rejecting coins of an intermediate size.

9. A coin slot mechanism for receiving large and small coins of predetermined size comprising, in combination, a casing, a largecoin register, a small coin register, a movably mounted coin chute having one end projecting from the casing for receiving coins and the other end projecting into the casing for depositing coins therein and movable in the direction of coin movement when inserted into the chute, means yieldably resisting movement of said chute in the direction of coin movement, means normally holding said chute in its extended position, means operable by a coin of proper size inserted in said chute to release the chute, means operable by movement of said chute when a large coin is inserted therein to permit the coin to pass through the chute and to actuate the large coin register, and means operable by movement of said chute when a small coin is inserted therein to permit said coin to pass through the chute and to actuate said small coin register.

10. A coin slot mechanism comprising, in combination, a support, a member mounted on said supportfor reciprocatory movement and having a coin slot associated therewith, an arm pivotally mounted on said member having a portion projecting into said coin slot and carrying means normally engaging said support to prevent movement of said member, which means is ineffective when a coin of proper size has been inserted in said slot to prevent such movement, and means on said support effective to swing said arm out vof said slot when said member is moved to permit the coin to pass through the coin slot.

11. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, a support, a member reciprocably mounted on said support and having a coin slot therethrough, a part pivotally secured to said reciprocatory member and normally extending partially into said coin slot, said part carrying means normally engaging means on the support to prevent movement of said member, which means are disengageable by a coin of proper size inserted in said slot swinging said part, and means for withdrawing said part wholly from said slot when said member is depressed so as to permit the coin to pass through the slot.

12. A coin slot mechanism comprising, in combination, a support, a member mounted on said support'for recipr'ocatory movement and having a coin slot associatedtherewith, a latch device normally holding said member at one end of its travel and having a portion projecting into said coin slot from one edge thereof adjacent its entrance, an arm 'pivotally mounted on said member and having a portion projecting into said coin slot from the other edge thereof, and a guard device overhanging the outer end of said latch device and projecting into the coin slot beyond the adjacent portion of the latch device.

13. A coin slot mechanism having, in combination, a support, a member mounted on said support for reciprocatory movement and having a coin slot associated therewith, a latch device normally holding said member at one end of its travel and having a portion projecting into said coin slot from one side thereof, a part movably mounted on said member and having a portion projecting into said coin slot from the opposite operable by a coin of proper size to release said support to hold said member at the same end of its travel, said latch device and part being both operable by a coin of proper size to relase said member and means operable during movement of said member to withdraw said part and thereby W permit the coin to move through the coin slot.

HANS C. STOCKEL. 

